by Bernadette Rodgers (with a contribution by Jorge Meléndez)

Why Visit Gemini? Queue-based observing is the norm at Gemini, so if you’re a Gemini user it may seem unnecessary to be on-site. Observatory staff not only take your data in queue but also in the observing conditions required. All you need to do is download the files directly from the Gemini Science Archive when your “You’ve got data!” e-mail arrives. So why visit Gemini?

William Blair (Johns While it’s true that you don’t have to come to Chile or Hawai‘i to get your Gemini data, here are Hopkins University) five good reasons to consider a trip: during a visit to the Gemini South 1. Participation (it’s your data!): While we cannot guarantee taking your queue data in your telescope for a presence, we will do our best to schedule some (or all) of your band 1 or 2 observations dur- classical observing ing your visit. If we do, you can choose to monitor the process from either the summit or the run. See his article base facility and watch in real-time as the data come in. You can then provide valuable feed- (with Frank Winkler, back to the observer and, if necessary, make small adjustments (without impacting night- Middlebury College) time efficiency) — just as you would if you were taking the data yourself. Such participation in this issue to learn about this team’s gives you an early look at the data and a better sense of the conditions and circumstances observations and under which they were taken. All of this can help ensure you get the highest quality data discoveries. during the observing run.

2. Improve your queue observing skills: During your stay, you’ll have the op- portunity to meet with the observer(s), contact scientists, and other resident Gemini experts, and discuss your program. You’ll also see how the queue gets planned and executed, how the Observing Tool is used at night, and how the telescope and instrument(s) take your data. If you are not familiar with Gemini, these learning experiences can be invaluable and will almost certainly improve your queue observing technique and help you in future planning. We especially encourage Principal Investigators of large programs, or those who expect to be frequent Gemini users, to take advantage of a visit to increase familiarity with Gemini operations and staff (see the testimonial on next page).

39 GeminiFocus June2012 3. Immediate data reduction: All visitors ions or concerns in person. Your voice will can ask to extend their stay and work on be heard and may have an important im- data reduction while in the proximity of pact on how we can better serve the user experienced Gemini staff. Especially for community and ensure that we acquire the new users working with the Gemini data best data possible for everyone. Your pres- reduction package this can provide a great ence can make a difference on Gemini’s head-start. performance and the data you and your colleagues get in the future. 4. Impact Gemini’s performance: We learn a lot from our users, and we welcome your 5. Share your knowledge: Finally, during feedback. Most of the time this feedback your stay, you’ll have the opportunity to arrives by e-mail, but during a visit you will present your Gemini results (or other work) have the opportunity to voice your opin- in front of an appreciative audience during a science colloquium. We hold these col- loquia at the base facilities and most are well-attended by Gemini staff, other local astronomers, and visiting scientists. It’s a great ven- ue for meeting new col- leagues, obtaining instant feedback on your research, and inspiring discussion and thought.

Jonathan Ruel captures a Testimonial photograph of the Jonathan Ruel, Ryan Foley, Brian Stalder, and Saku Vrtilek visited Gemini South twice in 2011 to kick SOAR telescope off their large program to study galaxy clusters using the the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph from Gemini South (Principal Investigator (PI) and Jonathan’s advisor Christopher Stubbs). Jonathan writes: at sunset as part of his visit which he “Visiting the Gemini offices and then the telescope has made me a better and happier queue observer. describes in the box The ways are hard to quantify but getting to experience the entire life cycle of the observations brought at right. all the pieces of the mosaic together.

As the Gemini OT is concerned, I benefit generally from having observed so that I have the entire observing process and procedures in mind, and I would say that it is especially true for the details peripheral to the main science observations, that is the observation setup (slit mask alignment) and then the calibrations, as well as understanding where the overheads come from.

Above all things, I enjoyed very much meeting with the staff; beyond just putting faces on names that I had seen in e-mails, in discussing their roles that pertain to reviewing the slit masks, scheduling, and observing, I got to see them as team members concerned with the science, rather than an abstract approval step, and our interactions have been more focused and efficient as a result. Even though he was not there in person, the same goes with my NGO contact scientist. We had a few technical problems and he was helping alongside the Gemini staff with OT changes pretty much in real time, which was an enlightening departure from the usual.”

40 GeminiFocus June2012 Plan Ahead A Dream Comes True: Some of our PIs prefer the classical approach (see Figure 1), and we welcome that. Classical Brazilian Students visitor feedback reports tell us that that they Meet Large Telescopes have had very positive experiences at Gemini. by Jorge Meléndez A roughly 90-percent majority of Gemini us- ers, however, prefer queue. Visiting queue In the era of large telescopes, it is becoming PIs realize all the same benefits as a classical increasingly common to acquire observations observer with one exception: they have the remotely. As a result, astronomers are losing advantage of leaving any unexecuted obser- direct contact with their precious link to the vations in the queue after they leave. Band 1, universe. This is especially true for countries 2, and 3 PIs are welcome, however, we will not with only a small share of telescope time, such preferentially schedule programs in Band 3 as Brazil. The large majority of our approved for visitors. projects at Gemini take only a few hours of observing time, which is not enough for To visit Gemini as a queue PI or student, con- deserving observations in visitor mode. In tact your National Gemini Office. They will as- addition, many graduate students work on sist you in submitting a visitor request form. their thesis projects without ever visiting the Be sure to specify in your request the duration observatories that took their data. of the visit, and how much time you expect to stay at the summit and base facility. Also As the new professor of the graduate course note any special requirements or requests “Observational Astrophysics” at the Institute (e.g., assistance with data reduction and spe- of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric cial timing needs). Due to budget constraints, Sciences (IAG) of the Universidade de São Gemini cannot offer financial assistance, with Paulo (USP) in Brazil, I thought it important that one exception: the observatory will cover students should visit at least one international summit expenses (lodging, transportion, and observatory. Having traveled to different meals) for student observers. Once a visit is observatories around the world, I know first- approved, our administrative staff will help hand that such an experience cannot only give with local logistics, such as arranging lodging them a better understanding of how astronomy in Hilo or La Serena, as well as all summit lo- is done, but also serve as a source of inspiration, gistical issues. especially for those who want to become astronomers. Thus, I was thrilled when the We like company, and we’ll do our best to directors of Gemini Observatory, the Southern make your visit productive and enjoyable. Astrophysical Research (SOAR) Telescope, the You’ll not only get to see your 8-meter tele- Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), scopes in action, but enjoy the pristine natu- and the La Silla Observatory accepted my ral locations of two of the most fabulous as- request to bring some of my students to those tronomical sites on the planet. They really are facilities in Chile during April 2012. pretty spectacular (if we do say so ourselves) and we look forward to seeing you soon. Until Eight students participated in the trip. All loved then, clear skies! the experience. I now invite you to read accounts from three of these students about their visits Bernadette Rodgers is Gemini South Head of to Gemini, SOAR, and CTIO. Their words show Science Operations. She can be reached at: how important this trip was to them, not only [email protected]

41 GeminiFocus June2012 At the Gemini to learn about telescopes, but also in encouraging them to make true their long-sought dreams headquarters in La of becoming astronomers. I’d like to thank Manuel Paredes, Pascale Hibon, and Tina Armond, our Serena. From left main guides during the visit to the above facilities, for explaining every detail of the telescopes. We to right: Prof. Jorge gladly acknowledge the financial support from the Vice Dean of Graduate studies at USP (Vahan Meléndez and students Patricia Martins de Agopyan) and the Director of IAG/USP (Tércio Ambrizzi). Novais, Miguel Paez, The visit to Gemini, SOAR, and CTIO from the students’ point of view… Fernando de Sousa Mello, Andressa Silva Fernando de Sousa Mello: The full understanding of some things only comes when they are truly Ferreira, Nathália lived. To watch the world on TV brings information, but not deep understanding. To watch the large Cibirka, Marcelo Tucci telescopes such as Gemini on the Discovery Channel is amazing, but to see one in reality is just an Maia, Viviane Salvador incredible experience. Only then is it possible to realize how big they are and admire their slow and Alves and Ana Maria Molina. Picture taken gracious movements. by A.M. M. The large telescopes are like airplanes or satellites: they are only developed through cooperation. How many people did it take, all of them different, working together with the same objective to build these grandiose dreams? All of these thoughts were in my mind while I watched everything tiny and still through the airplane window and also when standing in front of those giant telescopes with silver domes.

Viviane Salvador Alves: Sometimes the best events in life happen suddenly… and that was the case of our adventure to Chile. When Prof. Jorge Meléndez told us that he was seeking authorization to visit international observatories, we were totally skeptical. Although the observatories could accept us, how could we find the money to travel there? When some of our colleagues and professors learned about the possibility of our trip, they were even more incredulous. Fortunately, the financial aspect ended up being easier than expected, and we couldn’t have been happier. In less than one month from the day that the Professor gave us the news, we were on our way to the telescopes. Our families back at home were thrilled and proud. When my father saw an image of us in front of the Gemini telescope, he described it as a “monster.”

42 GeminiFocus June2012 Experiencing strong With this trip, some winds in front of the thoughts have arisen Gemini South dome. and will stay on my mind From left to right: for a long time. One was student Andressa Silva Ferreira, Prof. an experience on the Jorge Meléndez, mountains on La Silla students Fernando where we took a long hike de Sousa Mello, to search for petroglyphs Nathália Cibirka, (which we did find!). Days Marcelo Tucci Maia, before this, we saw the Ana Maria Molina, 8-meter Gemini telescope, Miguel Paez, Patricia Martins de which was a colossal Novais, and Viviane technological contrast Salvador Alves. against the petroglyphs. Photo by Manuel Millions of thoughts and Paredes. emotions went through my mind when I looked at those stones, carved by men thousands of years ago. Those ancient men looked at the same sky and spent the night under the same darkness, asking themselves perhaps some basic questions, as we still do today — with the difference being that now we have 8-meter eyes to fuel our thoughts! Indeed, we certainly live in a very thrilling era!

Nathália Cibirka: So many doubts and emotions run through our minds in this stage of life; after long years attending lectures in college, attending graduate lectures could sometimes be torturous! We want to work on our theses, to finally boost our flight! This is when some insightful persons who can see what lies beyond can take bold initiatives that can change our expectations as young astronomers. Professor Meléndez is one such person. He gave us that much needed encouragement, and prepared us for a profession that requires strong theoretical and observational backgrounds.

The experience gained during this trip goes well beyond knowledge of astronomical instrumentation, which was indeed very enriching. For me, emotions were greatest when we got to see the telescopes that are used in our work up close (the data for my thesis came from here, I can´t believe it!). To understand the overall process, from knowing the telescopes and their instruments, to the climate conditions necessary to operate them, to the point when the data are taken and the data reduction is performed, made my vision grow by so many orders of magnitude! It gave me that breath needed to return to my everyday activities with more pleasure.

When I returned, my family felt proud and my friends were a bit envious. They cannot fully understand yet how our whole experience was even possible. I felt that I had taken one firm step towards making my childhood dream of becoming an astronomer come true.

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